Erskine school celebrates 50th anniversary

Rashielea Primary School first opened its doors in August 1974, and half a century later, pupils have been learning about the history of their school through the music and culture of their elders. 

In June, the school hosted a show ‘Through the Decades’ in which classes sang famous songs and dressed up in clothes associated with the past 50 years.

Danielle Meiklejohn, depute head, said: “We ended the year on an absolute high. The whole place was absolutely jumping to the song Shang A Lang, people from the care home, grandparents, babies, everyone, it was brilliant.

(Image: Supplied)

Before the show, pupils were taught about the history by their teachers, the children also spent time in Rashielee Care Home getting to know residents and learning about music throughout the years. 

Abbey, in primary six, said: "We talked about their favourite songs, me and Anne (a care home resident) were comparing pictures of when she went to see Cliff Richard when she was 20 with now and they were really different.” 

Miss Laurie, teacher of split class six/five, said: “It was a great show, it’s so important for the kids lots of them have family that came to the school years ago so it’s amazing for them to see how much the school has done in that time.”

Miss Laurie and her class before the show (Image: Supplied)

Headteacher Rachel Clark has made bringing the community into the school a priority since taking on her role seven years ago.

“Before, people were very much kept at the doors but now anybody is welcome to come into the school and talk about how education and the area has changed,” she said. 

“It has an impact, we’ve had no vandalism in the school for a number of years which is highly unusual, and I think that is because the children see it as part of their community."

(Image: Graeme Hewitson / Monument Photos)The school will continue to mark the 50-year milestone later this term with an exhibition focusing on the stark changes that have taken place in education during the time the school has been open.  

“The children will organise it, they’ll be able to compare what school was like then and how it is now,” said Rachel. 

“The pupils will decide which photographs and artefacts to put on show and we’ll invite families and the community to come see it."

(Image: Supplied)

Primary six pupils Abbey, Nieve, Logan and Casey all enjoyed learning about their school’s history and were surprised by how old it was.

Casey said: "It’s quite different from now but it’s cool to learn about, I want to do it again."

When asked what they thought might be the biggest change to school in the next 50 years they all agree it can only be “robot teachers”.